Egypt’s Sisi calls Assad for first time, offering help

Egypt’s president has called his Syrian counterpart to offer support following the earthquake, in the first official exchange between the two.

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi offered “sincere condolences” to Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, a spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency said on Tuesday.

"President Sisi reiterated Egypt's solidarity with Syria and its brotherly people in this calamity. He also directed that all possible aid be provided to Syria," presidential spokesperson Ahmed Fahmy said.

Assad thanked Egypt for its position, according to Syrian state news agency SANA.